With over 100 varieties of bamboo, a native to Asia, only ten or so are grown for their edible shoots.

Bamboo Shoots are harvested as soon as they appear as offspring of bamboo plant above the ground, while they are still young. The ivory-colored shoots of the bamboo plant, is a popular item in Chinese cooking. As edible vegetable it is long been included in the oriental recipes: boiled, saut�ed, or steamed as an accompaniment to meat or fish, in stir fry vegetables, with meat added like chicken, pork or beef, as filling for spring rolls, in soup, fried noodles etc. Braised in soy sauce and spices, sliced Bamboo Shoots are often served as appetizers or added to soups, stews and various other Oriental dishes.

In general, canned bamboo shoots are easier to obtain than fresh shoots which are expensive and seasonal. To refresh the canned bambooo shoots, rinse them in hot water to get rid of any "tinny" taste and quickly blanch before use. Unused bamboo shoots should be stored in the refrigerator in a jar of water, with the water changed daily. Edible bamboo shoots fall into two broad categories, winter and spring shoots. Spring shoots are larger and tougher than winter shoots.

Two kinds of bamboo shoots are used: the cultivated called "TONG", from the central part of Thailand, and the naturally wild grown called "BONG" usually found in the northern part of Thailand, especially in the districts of Mae-sod and Mae-lamad. Both looks quite similar to each other. BONG tends to have darker yellow color and smells much more pungent. Applications depend on individuals's preferences and culinary recipes. The Asian customers prefer the better tasting cultivated, the Europeans prever the cheaper wild. Supplied in salt water, preserved, in following styles:

1) Whole outside leafs cut off. Suitable for fried or boiled Chinese food 2) Half: wholes cut in half. Suitable for cooking with beef, pork or chicken 3) Top: only the top of the shoot. Easy to cook in many types of foods: salad, stirr fry and soups. 4) Strip: also called 'matches',cut into thin strips. For soups, salads, fried dishes, fish, fillings etc.5) Sliced:cut into thin slices. Same as strips, for salads, stir fry, with meat and/or other vegetables. 6) Diced: cut into small cubes. For making soups or salads

Health information about Bamboo Shoots

[Extracted from the web page of http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com]

In many countries of the East, bamboo shoots can send people salivating on their plates. Those who have tried bamboo shoots swear by the sweetness and crunchiness it provides to the dishes. And bamboo shoots are very versatile. They can go along quite well in almost any type of dish. The fact that it is a grass doesn’t hinder bamboo shoot eaters much. However, many people have only a faint idea of all the health benefits that the bamboo shoots come loaded with. The Chinese, who have perfected the art of cooking bamboo shoots, knew only of its property in curing infections. Its various other benefits came to light only with the progress of science. Bamboo also find a mention in ayurveda, where the silicious concretion found in bamboo stems is said to act as a cure for various respiratory diseases. There are a host of other medicinal properties in the bamboo shoots, the knowledge of which can perhaps goad the people in the West to include bamboo shoots in their diet, as its use in the culinary traditions of the West is very limited. To familiarize yourself with all the health benefits of the bamboo shoots read below.

Health Benefits Of Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo shoots can be used to clean up wounds. Sores that are maggot infested can be cleaned with the juice of bamboo shoots. A poultice made of tender juice is also very effective in this.

It can also be used to treat ulcers. About 120 ml of bamboo shoot juice taken twice daily can be very beneficial for this. The bamboo shoot juice can also be applied to the ulcer or wound.

Bamboo shoots also enhance the digestive action of the stomach. It is also beneficial in various types of stomach disorders. It is especially effective in treating diarrhea.

Bamboo shoot soup can speed up the measles cycle in children. Having bamboo shoot soup, twice a day can speed up the appearance of measles rashes and so the recovery will also be fast.

Bamboo shoots can also stimulate menstruation.

It is also believed that bamboo shoots can also be used to induce labor in the last month of pregnancy.

In Chinese medicine, bamboo shoot is extensively used to treat infections.

Bamboo shoots also have beneficial effects in treating bleeding piles and gonorrhea.

The fresh juice of bamboo shoots can be used to kill intestinal worms.

Bamboo shoots are rich in nutrients and low on calorie and fats. The shoots are also an excellent source of fiber. A single cup of bamboo shoot is enough to meet the body’s daily fiber requirement.

Bamboo shoots are also rich in potassium. So, it is excellent for boosting the health of the heart. The bamboo shoots also help in keeping the blood pressure to normal levels.

Bamboo shoots are also a rich source of lignans. Lignans have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties. As such, including bamboo shoots in the diet is a good way to include all these health benefits.

Bamboo shoots also have anti-inflammatory properties and anti-oxidants. So, bamboo shoots are very effective in reducing the risk of cancer and also prevent any injury to blood vessels.

There are also seventeen types of amino acids in bamboo shoots and over ten types of minerals. It is also a good source of the element selenium.

The element germaclinium is also present in bamboo shoots. This element activates the human cell.